Key Events

Domestic abuse a 'significantly aggravating feature'

Judge Thomas said a “significantly aggravating feature” of this crime was the domestic abuse involved.

He said: “You were abusing your power. You were in something of a dominant position.”

11:48

'She was quite unable or unwilling to break away from you'

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Thomas told Avaliani: “Tamara Sinakova was a Latvian national. She came to the UK a little before 2007. She remained resident here until her death earlier this year. You were to follow to the UK from Latvia yourself.

“Within a fairly short time after you arrived in the UK, you met Tamara Sinakova and formed a relationship with her. You remained in an on-off relationship of sorts over the 10-year period or so leading up to her death this year.

“Her children report that the relationship involved your dominance over her. They also report domestic abuse of their mother by you. Tamara Sinakova unhappily had already developed a fondness for alcohol before she met you.

“During this relationship with you, she seemingly retreated further into the numbing solace of alcohol. She was quite unable or unwilling to break away from you. It seems that she did retain some affection and love for you.”

Tamara Sinakova (Image: Humberside Police)

11:36KEY EVENT

Availani will serve a minimum of 16 years and 92 days in prison

Availani has been given a life sentence and will serve a minimum of 16 years and 92 days in prison. This includes two periods of 73 days which he has already served on remand.

11:30

Judge now reading his sentencing remarks

Sentencing Avaliani, Judge Roger Thomas QC said: “You have been found guilty following the trial of the murder of Tamara Sinakova. You killed her on January 5 this year.

“She was 61. She was 25 years your senior.”

11:13

Body found at address on Tamar Walk

The body of Tamara Sinakova was discovered at a property on Tamar Walk in Scunthorpe

Defence barrister says incident 'developed on the spur of the moment'

He said: “It is clear from the statement of the son and daughter that she would tell them what they wanted to hear.”

Mr Harbage said: “This is an incident that developed on the spur of the moment, no doubt resulting from the fact that she was very drunk and pestering him.”

11:04

Availani's previous convictions

Prosecutor David Gordon said Avaliani has two previous convictions for battery/common assault on a former girlfriend and assault occasioning actual bodily harm on a toddler.

Mr Gordon also said Miss Sinakova was “emotionally dependent” upon Avaliani.

11:01

'He has taken her money, her health, her dignity and he has now taken her life'

In his victim statement, Miss Sinakova’s son, Arturs Sinakovs, said: “He (Availani) has taken her money, her health, her dignity and he has now taken her life. Mother has already missed the birth of her granddaughter. Rojs has not admitted what he has done.”

10:48

'What he has done is an unspeakable crime'

The sentencing hearing is now under way and a victim statement from Miss Sinakova’s daughter, Marianna Sinakova, is being read out.

In the statement, she said: “I have been expecting a call that something bad had happened to mum for quite some time.

“I never thought Rojs would kill her.”

She added: “It is heartbreaking that my mum has gone. I have just had a baby this week. I am devastated that I will never be able to ask my mum for advice. My mum was not done living. I feel he had full responsibility for what had happened to my mum. What he has done to her is an unspeakable crime”.

10:45

Availani found guilty

Rojs Availani was found guilty of the murder of Tamara Sinakova after a seven-day trial. Read more from yesterday in court here and read reaction to the verdict from police here.